Ayden's first Halloween

Ayden's first Halloween was of course more for us than for him, because as you can see in a few of the pictures, he is not enjoying it too much! Who can blame him, though? He doesn't get any candy, his costume is hot, and people keep ringing the doorbell and disturbing his eating and sleeping! He looked so sweet in his cow costume! We are looking forward to taking him trick or treating in the years to come, but this was a very special night for us because it was our first Halloween with our little angel.

Sweet little pout

A few weeks ago Ayden starting sticking out his bottom lip very dramatically to show his dissatisfaction with whatever it is that is upsetting him. It has to be the CUTEST thing I have ever seen! Today I put him in his carseat when he was in an otherwise great mood, and he immediately stuck out his lip and just held it there for like 30 seconds! Once he realized we were actually going somewhere he stopped, but I had time to catch a few pics!

Ayden's weekend without Mommy

As most of you know, this past weekend I had to return to work for the first time since Ayden was born. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, and I think the only thing that kept me from completely breaking down is the fact that I am only working out my 2 week notice, then I am staying home with him again! I have to admit I enjoyed seeing my friends at work and showing off all my pictures of Ayden! Of course everyone thought he was adorable! I think the weekend went really well for Ayden as well. I was very concerned about the fact that Ayden is a true booby baby and he has never gone to sleep at night without it! I left him in great hands though- Chris and my mom took the first 2 nights, then Mimi came for the 3rd night. He slept in his cradle swing and seemed to do very well. I felt very comfortable leaving Ayden in the loving hands of his daddy and both of his grandmothers, but of course I missed him dearly. Everytime a baby cried at work, my heart melted...I missed him so much! Last night I was home again and I decided to see if he would sleep in his co-sleeper bassinet, because using the swing all night drains the batteries very quickly and he doesn't seem to like sleeping in his carseat anymore. Well, lets just say this did not work! Ayden knew his mommy (and her boobies) were home and he wanted nothing to do with his co-sleeper or the swing! He drifted off into peaceful sleep nestled right up against me...and hey, who am I kidding...I loved it too! I have posted some new pictures of Ayden temporarily laying in his co-sleeper, one of him sitting up in his Bumbo seat, and one with his Uncle Nick. He is getting to be such a big boy!

2 month check-up

Today Ayden went to the doctor for his 2 month check-up. He weighs 11 lbs 8 oz and is 23 and 1/4 inches long, so he is growing very well! He is very healthy overall and is meeting all the normal developmental milestones for his age. He is in the 50th percentile for weight and 70th for height. He was a very good boy for the doctor and didn't cry once! He will get his shots on October 30th. I can't believe he is already 2 months old!

Can this kid get any cuter?

More smiles on the way...

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

Weekend in Mena

Ayden and Grandma- she is trying to get him to smile!

Watching the game with Grandpa

Ayden and his new cousins--notice he is not enjoying this kodak moment!

This weekend we went to Mena to visit our families and had such a wonderful time! Saturday we went to the Cunningham family reunion and Ayden got to meet lots of members of his extended family, including 2 new cousins! Ayden was one of 3 new babies at the reunion. My cousin Summer has a 4 week old son and her sister Ashley has an 11 week old daughter. It was really neat to see all the new babies together! We also visited Ayden's Papaw and Memaw on Saturday and Ayden showed off his new talent- smiling! Sunday we went to lunch with Mimi, Papaw Wayne and Aunt Freddie. Ayden was very good for one of his first outings, he especially loved being held my his Mimi! Before we left Mena we stopped by to see Nanny for Ayden to get in a few more kisses! Ayden is so loved and he is so blessed to have 3 sets of grandparents and 3 sets of great greatparents who absolutely adore him! Of course, who can blame them...he is irresistible!

Picture perfect

2 weeks old

Photos by Jenny Leigh Portraits Lindale, TX

3 weeks old
Photos by Sweet Pea Photography Mena, AR

As most of you know, we have no shortage of professional photographers in our circle of family and friends! These are a few of my favorite pics from the last several weeks. Thanks so much to Jenny and Kathy for beautiful pictures!

Such a happy boy!

Ayden is smiling so much now that I find myself constantly dropping everything I am doing and grabbing the camera and the camcorder to try to capture every smile! He loves to watch faces and bright lights and he has started making the sweetest baby coo's! He also sticks out his lower lip when he cries, and he has learned that he only needs to do this once and mommy and daddy are at his mercy!